VIRUS WARNING
A rather clever virus infiltrated the UnLimited server on Monday and although we spotted it within about ten minutes it had already started sending itself to people listed in some of the UnLimited team's address books. It did not get passed the firewall on the CMU Daily server so it will only have sent itself to you if your email is one of our team's address books.

If you were sent the virus you would have received an email from an UnLimited team member late yesterday afternoon containing a random message (most likely making reference to a "meeting last week" or to a "legal partnership/course") and an attachment. Please ignore this message, do not open the attachment and delete the email asap.

You should only be affected if you have opened the attachment. If you think you have been infected the virus is called W32.Bugbear.B@mm so it may be worth doing a 'find file' on that name.

If you are infected go to the following website to get the clean tool:
http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/ venc/data/w32.bugbear.b@mm.removal.tool.html

Symantec are the company who make Norton Utilities so are a reliable source of virus help.

Apologies for any inconvenience this may have caused.

As we took our servers down on discovering the virus we were unable to send out this week's CMU Weekly, or make it available online. Therefore this week's Weekly will go live later on today.

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EMINEM'S PAL SAYS "HE NO RACIST"
One of the friends of Eminem quoted in The Source magazine's character assassination on Slim Shady has hit back, claiming his quotes were taken out of context and stressing that Mr Mathers isn't and never has been racist. Detroit MC Chaos Kid was Eminem's writing partner from 1988 to 1993 and was part of Bassmint Productions, the rap crew Slim Shady was in when he recorded the seemingly racist raps that surfaced last year and which the Source has based its "racist" claims around. The magazine uses comments by Chaos Kid to back up their racist claims against Eminem, which are made at length in their February issue.

But in a letter to the magazine, which has surfaced on various news groups, Chaos Kid says: "I am forced at this point to recognize that there are obviously some ulterior motives/personal hang-ups/political/racial agendas going on behind the scenes at The Source and this is making it impossible for you to present the issue of these tapes in a true light that would give a full spectrum of perspective."

He defends Eminem's rap - which included derogatory remarks about black women - by saying the rap was one of what they called 'Suckerin' Rhymes' - raps which were meant to "goofy/ stupid/ ignorant/ wack as possible." He adds Eminem was never racist in real life and that "we personally had conversations talking about how we hated racism and racists and we both had real songs denouncing racism."

Choas Kid's explanation for the racist rap released by The Source does not entirely match that of Eminem - who said he recorded the rap at an angry time in his life and that many of the lyrics were aimed at an ex-girlfriend, the break-up from whom was still dominating his life when the freestyles were recorded.

It remains to be seen if The Source - who have a long running feud with the Eminem camp - print the letter in their next issue as Chaos Kid requests.

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RUSH TOUR COULD BE THREATENED BY CHARGES
The upcoming 30th Anniversary tour of Canadian rockers Rush could be in jeopardy following the arrest of the band's guitarist, Alex Zivojinovich, over allegations he attacked a policeman. As previously reported Zivojinovich was arrested after a fracas at a New Years Eve party in Florida. He allegedly resisted arrest, hit out at police officers and had to be shot with a stun gun to calm him down.

Florida state prosecutors this week said they would make a decision on whether to charge the guitarist in two weeks time. Among the charges he could face are aggravated battery on deputies, resisting arrest with violence and disorderly intoxication - if found guilty of all three he could face a jail sentence.

Depending on the speed with which charges went through court that could affect Rush's up coming 50+ date world tour due to start in May.

Commenting on the case Brent Batten - crime writer with Florida newspaper Naples Daily News, commented: "Any felony conviction could jeopardise the tour scheduled for this year. The reality of the situation serves as a cold slap in the face to Rush fans confident a rich rock icon with a clean record and top-notch defence lawyers would get off with a light sentence, possibly in the form of a community service concert in our own back yard."

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LMC LIKELY TO KNOCK MICHELLE OF TOP SPOT
Pop Idol Michelle's dominance of the singles chart is likely to end this weekend with LMC's 'Take Me to the Clouds Above' - that fusion of U2's 'With or Without You' with a Whitney Houston melody - currently shifting the most units and heading for number one.

Other tracks expected to enter the top ten this week include those from Emma Bunton, Lostprophets and long-time CMU favourites Snow Patrol.

Albums wise it looks likely Katie Melua will stay on top despite sterling efforts by Air and The Coral - both of whom's new albums should go top five.

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WHITE STRIPES PLAN 7" RELEASE
The White Stripes are planning another vinyl only release - this time 'There's No Home For You Here', another track from album 'Elephant'. According to the NME the single will be backed up with a ten-minute version of 'Ball and Biscuit'. The single will be released on 15 Mar.

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FRANZ FERDINAND TOUR
Buzz band of the moment Franz Ferdinand have announced a UK-wide tour to promote their self-titled debut album (released 9 Feb). Dates as follows:

B2K RECRUIT NEW FRONTMAN
Well, it seems that R&B combo B2K will be carrying on despite the departure of lead singer Omarion. Latest word is that the group will continue with a new front man - one Ray J, younger brother of American popstress Brandy. No official word on when the new look B2K will officially surface, though rumour has it that they are already working on a track with R Kelly as producer.

It's not exactly clear how good relations are between B2K and former front man Omarion after the latter announced the group was splitting up after his decision to quit. However Omarion has told MTV: "In the future, I hope we do get back together. I would definitely want to do that once any solo projects are over. I think the people would enjoy it."

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ALBUM REVIEW: Soulfly - Prophecy (Roadrunner)
For the fourth Soulfly album, leader and ex-Sepultura guitarist/singer Max Cavalera has gone to town with a whole new team of musicians. The ever-changing line-up now features drummer Joe Nunez, ex-Ill Nino guitarist Mark Rizzo, and bassists Dave Ellefson (ex-Megadeth) and Bobby Burns (ex-Primer55). While still profiling the gritty and ceaselessly hard edge of metal, 'Prophecy' pushes both forward and looks back with contemporary inspiration from parallel scenes as well as a cleaner more minimal sound a la early Metallica or Megadeth. All the double time kicks and cymbal crashes, the macabre and earnest growling and the chugging, grinding and face-meltingly fast guitar exist as before; but Cavalera's new line-up puts a different twist on things. The world music and flamenco influences that Cavelera cites, may not be in evidence as heavily as he says, despite using sitars, berimbau, flamenco guitars and a variety of percussion. Although much of this instrumentation is lost in the whirlwind of chugging guitar, drum-pounding and guitar, there
are some inspired moments: the flamenco guitar of 'Mars', the ambient electronic-tinged 'I Believe' and the ska-rhythm metal hymn, 'Moses'. In a world of disappointing and thoughtless metal, Cavelera is not only doing something fresh and raw, but something that ambitious that works. JG
Release date: 29 Mar
Press Contact: Roadrunner IH [all]

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MAJOR LABEL PERSONNEL RUMOURS
Well, all the gossip in the major label circles have moved over from "who's merging with who?" to "who's gonna take what job where". Here's the edited highlights of the latest rumours.

Much chat in the US has been dedicated to speculation that former Arista boss LA Reid may fill the gap at the top of Universal division Island Def Jam following the news IDJ boss Lyor Cohen was moving to Warner. Reid announced he was quitting the BMG label earlier this month after rumours his predecessor, Clive Davis, now head of RCA, would be given a cross-group role if and when the BMG Sony merger goes ahead.

Quite what conversations have gone on between Reid and Universal to date is unclear, though other rumours say the exec is also speaking to Warners about a role their post-Bronfmann takeover, though there is some confusion as to what job would be available for him there.

Elsewhere there is gossip that IDJ execs Julie Greenwald and Kevin Liles may both follow Cohen in jumping ship for Warners. Both are out of contract and could therefore make a more or less immediate swap if invited to do so by their former boss.

Finally there is still much speculation over the future of current Warner Music boss Roger Ames following the appointment of Cohen to a post looking after the Group's affairs across America. The thinking that Ames will move to London to head up Warner's European recording and publishing operations is gaining more ground, though there are still some who expect a resignation letter to be penned as soon as the Bronfmann sale is complete.

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G-UNIT MEMBER BACK IN JAIL AFTER ONE DAY OF FREEDOM
Parole officers for New York State have confirmed that Tony Yayo, a member of 50 Cent's hip hop crew G-Unit, is back in prison.

The rapper was arrested on New Year's Eve 2002, along with 50 Cent, on weapons-possession charges. Unfortunately for him police officers realised Yayo had an outstanding warrant for a previous weapons-possession charge, and he was subsequently jailed for having jumped bail.

Yayo was released on parole on 8 Jan, but apparently was thrown back into prison the very next day after his parole office found he was in possession of a forged passport. He will now stay in jail until another parole hearing on 24 Feb.

Yayo was in jail for all of 2003 and so missed out on the rapid rise in popularity of his fellow crew member and the subsequent success of G-Unit's album.

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SUPERGRASS PREPARE GREATEST HITS
Supergrass will release a greatest hits compilation to coincide with their 10th anniversary - hurrah! As is customary these days the album will include two new songs, which the band are currently recording. An anniversary DVD is also planned and the band are looking for any fans with footage of the band from anytime in the last ten years to be included with the videos on that release.

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TELCO ENTER DOWNLOAD SECTOR
Another name has entered the digital download race - this time telephone company Cable & Wireless. They have used MIDEM to announce they are launching a b2b music-download service which can be used as a back end by brands looking to enter the download sector.

Working with Swiss based software firm 24/7 MusicShop, and seemingly with much of its record label licences in place, the company hopes to supply a similar service to OD2, the engine behind most of the existing UK download services, including the high profile service launched by Coke earlier this week.

Although the group's first confirmed customer is a Danish website called Phonofile - word is the company are talking to Tesco about adding a download service to their etail website. If that's true Tesco will be the first UK supermarket to follow the lead of Wall-Mart in the US and add a digital music download service to their online operations.

Announcing the service C&W's Andrew Wilding told reporters: "From our analysis, there's plenty of business to be done," adding that "The vagaries of the European market have been factored into the platform."

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SINGLE REVIEW: Eastern Lane - Saffron (Rough Trade)
When I first heard Eastern Lane's debut single 'Feed Your Addiction' I wondered if it was a solo project from the Libertines' Pete Doherty. It wasn't of course, it was in fact four teenagers from fortress town Berwick-upon -Tweed. Their home is described on their web site as just north of the Scottish border, "Vast expanses of sand and sea roll out to a cold North Sea." The splendid isolation of their location perhaps informs their wild ramshackle sound. On their second single the yelps of Derek Meins and their raw lo-fi Brit-punk reminds me again of the Libertines. It's a stomping tune and the young whipper snappers have already brought out an album 'Shades of Black' last year. Tipped for success by the music press, they'll be one to watch in 2004. JW
Release date: 23 Feb
Contact: Wild [CP, CR] Rough Trade IH [RP, RR, NP, NR]

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CORGAN BEGINS SOLO ALBUM
Former Smashing Pumpkins man Billy Corgan - whose new band Zwan parted company after just one album - has begun work on a solo album.

Writing on his website Corgan says: "I am excited to work on this music, because for the first time in my life it will be my tunes with no compromises to anyone or anything. It's gonna be loud and beautiful and poetic and dumb. Just the way I like it."

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NAPSTER MAKE JIBE AT APPLE
Napster boss Chris Gorog has summed up his company's USP over main competitor iTunes by saying the Microsoft format they use is much more compatible with the increasingly wide range of MP3 devices on the market. Speaking at MIDEM he told music biz bosses "stay-off the Apple platform" saying his service "is compatible with two-thirds of all the mobile music devices currently available". He's right of course, but then again iPods are just so much cooler.

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GOLDBLADE TOUR
Goldblade are planning on re-releasing their three albums to coincide with an upcoming UK tour with the Stranglers. That tour follows a number of spoken word dates from frontman John Robb, and precedes some planned dates in the US and Russia.

Press info from Paula Gregory at Northern Lights Music on 020 7700 4227

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FCC FINES CLEAR CHANNEL OVER BUBBA SHOW
US media regulator the Federal Communications Commission has thrown a $755,000 fine a Clear Channel's radio arm for broadcasting "indecent programming" on four of its stations in Florida. The fuss is over a show called 'Bubba The Love Sponge' which apparently scored quite highly on the offensive front. The show ran a total of 26 times and the group has been fined $27,500 for every play, plus another $40,000 for record keeping violations. Clear Channel, who are yet to respond to the actual size of the fine, have said the US broadcasting industry needs to be more specific as to what it considers "indecent programming" - especially as the FCC is becoming more strict in this area.

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FOXY RECORDS PILOT FOR NEW ITV SHOW
Neil Fox will host a new Saturday night show called The Big Call in which contestants are tested on their general knowledge before making a decision that could land them a massive jackpot. A pilot edition is being planned and if successful it would launch on prime time ITV later this year. Fox recently announced he was quitting the commercial radio chart show to concentrate on TV projects.

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JUNGLE NONSENSE
What with tuition fees and the Hutton Report all going centre stage this week, some intellectual debate in the jungle. To summarise the proceedings - Jordan has told Peter Andre she wouldn't have sex with him because he admitted he had a tiny penis.

After former pop heartthrob told the model that he "loves her dearly" and saying "why don't you just forget what they [the viewing public] say and do what we want to do?", Jordan said: "You've already told me you've got an acorn - it's not even worth going there. Unless you want to give us a little strip. I'm sure the girls at home would love that."